Line level 1 volt?

Question

Hi,
I will like to find out on whether any of the Sound Blaster audio product support line level 1 volt audio for both microphone input and audio output?
Thanks.
Regards,
Muss

Answer 1

Line-in inputs basically are designed to match line-out output levels. There is usually a volume adjustment available, though. There are actually two line-level standards, consumer line-level and professional line-level with the latter being a stronger (higher-voltage) signal. I think consumer line-level is defined at about 1 volt peak, but many devices are actually around 2 volts peak. My knowledge of CL soundcards is that they are of the 2 volt variety, and they also have a 2x recording multiplier (digital). That means that a recording volume setting of 50% is the "unity" setting which neither amplifies nor attenuates the incoming signal (there are some other factors which affect this slightly). The line-in input also has a (probably analog) attenuation adjustment which lets an input signal which is "too hot" for the digital range to be adjusted to prevent the ADC range from being exceeded.
It's not directly applicable to your question, but my webpage on SBLive/SBAudigy sample rate conversion:
http://pages.sbcglobal.net/hamakerd/sbsrc
describes calibration steps which may give you some additional insight into this (follow the "here" link under "Additional Information" ).
-Dave
[email protected]